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Öz

Knowledge sharing is seen as one of the most vital processes for knowledge management and virtual communities of practice (VCoPs). In this study, knowledge sharing behaviors between members of VCoPs and opinions about their community were investigated. We employed a qualitative research design. Data were gathered on the members through online observation of the messages in the VCoPs. Additional data were collected via semi-structured individual interviews. The results of the survey showed that the majority of the activity was Sharing Knowledge, followed by Talk/Conversation and Request. The most common type of knowledge shared was Sharing Resource. Results also showed that there was a significant difference between gender, time to become a member, means of communication used, types of knowledge and activities. Our results showed that people are more likely to participate in such communities because of “tangible returns”. The findings revealed that sharer members appear to be main motivator. On the other hand, disrupted issues were seen a major barrier.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Lifelong learning, informal learning, communities of practice, knowledge sharing behaviour

Sanal Uygulama Topluluğu Üyelerinin Bilgi Paylaşma Davranışlarının İncelenmesi

Öz

Bu çalışmada, sanal uygulama topluluğu üyelerinin bilgi paylaşma süreçlerinde ne tür davranışlar sergiledikleri ve toplulukları ile ilgili çeşitli görüşleri belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırma verileri nitel veri toplama tekniklerinden yararlanılarak belirli ölçütleri karşılayan altı topluluktan elde edilmiştir. Veri toplama aracı olarak ortam kayıtları değerlendirme formu ve yarı yapılandırılnış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre topluluk üyelerinin en çok Bilgi Paylaşma, Görüş/Sohbet ve İstek etkinliklerinde bulundukları belirlenmiştir. Üyelerin en çok paylaştıkları bilgi türü ise Kaynak Paylaşma’dır. Topluluk üyelerinin gerçekleştirdikleri etkinliklerin ve paylaştıkları bilgi türlerinin cinsiyete, topluluğa üye olma süresine ve kullanılan iletişim aracına göre farklılaştığı belirlenmiştir. Üyelerin topluluğa katılma nedenleri incelendiğinde ise maddi nedenlerin ön planda olduğu görülmektedir. Üyelerin, bilgi paylaşma süreçlerinde en beğendikleri durum, iletilerine anında ve birden fazla dönüt alabilmeleri; en rahatsızlık duydukları durum ise konunun dağılması olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yaşam boyu öğrenme, informal öğrenme, uygulama toplulukları, bilgi paylaşma davranışı

Kaynakça

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